The Fantastic Four: First Steps is dedicated to two specific people, both linked to the production of the MCU film. The ending of Fantastic Four: First Steps sets up big things for the future of the MCU. Fantastic Four: First Steps’ post-credit scene is the main talking point here, as it sets up 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday.
However, the credits of the film include dedications that go beyond filmmaking. For instance, Earth-828 is confirmed as a beautiful Fantastic Four: First Steps Easter egg to comic book creator Jack Kirby. That said, there are two other dedications found in the credits of Fantastic Four: First Steps. One is linked to director Matt Shakman, while the other has ties to Marvel Studios.
Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Jamie Christopher Dedication Explained
A Marvel Studios Veteran
The first dedication in The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ credits is for Jamie Christopher. Jamie Christopher was a long-time collaborator of Marvel Studios, who sadly pᴀssed away from heart complications in August 2023. Christopher has an illustrious career in the industry, having worked on big franchises like Harry Potter and Star Wars.
Where the Marvel Cinematic Universe is concerned, Jamie Christopher worked as an ᴀssistant director, alongside other on-set roles, on films like Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Black Widow. Christopher was also an executive producer on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and was set to have the same role during production on Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Pre-production on Fantastic Four: First Steps was gearing up in the wake of the industry strikes in 2023 when Christopher pᴀssed…
Herein lies the explanation for the dedication to Christopher in the film’s credits. Pre-production on Fantastic Four: First Steps was gearing up in the wake of the industry strikes in 2023 when Christopher pᴀssed, meaning he, unfortunately, did not get to work on the project as he had on prior Marvel productions.
Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Inez Shakman Dedication Explained
A Family Member Of Matt Shakman
The second dedication in the credits of Fantastic Four: First Steps simply reads “For Inez,” referencing Inez Shakman. Inez Shakman is the late mother of the film’s director, Matt Shakman, who pᴀssed away in April 2025. Shakman commented on both dedications to Entertainment Weekly, recalling that his mother at least saw parts of the film involving a cameo from Shakman’s daughter.
Shakman, naturally, states how he would have liked for his mother to see the finished film. Despite the tragedy of both these scenarios, the dedication of a movie as revered as Fantastic Four: First Steps is a nice touch from Shakman and Marvel Studios. After all, the film is about family, and what better way to honor two members of the extended Marvel family than this?
